my 8.8

[Denisefwd93]

didn't want to say my rear for obvious reasons .. and it's too big to fit on the page anyway

Anyways.... Do I need a "pro" shop to do the work on Ring, pinion, bearings e shims pre-load etc?

My old friend insists that "we" can do it rear axle work and he has when he worked at a dealership (but that was many years ago)

This all "if" and when I decide to start working on finding that 35-55 mph "shake"

 

[adsm08]

As long as your friend has the tools and knowledge then no, there is no need to have a shop do it. It isn't like a tire where you have to balance it and special expensive equipment to do it correctly.

 

[AgPete139]

Ring & Pinion rear gear install:

First off, there are lots of resources for doing this properly. Youtube videos, the Tech Library has several writeups, and common sense.

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/gears.html

http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-axles.shtml


Secondly, yes. You can absolutely perform this yourself. Take your time, get the proper tools, and measure-Measure-MEASURE! Do not be afraid to take it out, and try again.

I installed my 4.88 gears and Richmond Lock-Rite in my Explorer 8.8" rear, and a 3.73 open in my Ranger 8.8". This can be done easily, and not being dumb during this process will yield positive results. All of my axles, having no formal training, was done easily. All my axles have worked, and never had issues with breakage, grinding, whining, or excessive wear.

Thirdly, get the Master install kit. It will have new gaskets, shims, bearings, hardware, Lock-tite anti-sieze, and marking compound to check your work. You only need to pay between $70-110 for one of these. It's worth it. You will also not use all of your shims, and youll have some left over, but thats fine. No one uses all of these, since gear/axle combos can widely vary.

Lastly, tools. Get them. You'll need prybars, screwdrivers, socket set, mallets, different pipe ID's for extracting and installing bearings, heat source (propane heat / oven), cold source (freezer, shrink parts for interference fits), bearing separator, small Dremel cutoff wheel to potentially cut away old bearings, and really important dial indicator with a magnetic base.


Good luck.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Ring & Pinion rear gear install:

First off, there are lots of resources for doing this properly. Youtube videos, the Tech Library has several writeups, and common sense.

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/gears.html

http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-axles.shtml


Secondly, yes. You can absolutely perform this yourself. Take your time, get the proper tools, and measure-Measure-MEASURE! Do not be afraid to take it out, and try again.

I installed my 4.88 gears and Richmond Lock-Rite in my Explorer 8.8" rear, and a 3.73 open in my Ranger 8.8". This can be done easily, and not being dumb during this process will yield positive results. All of my axles, having no formal training, was done easily. All my axles have worked, and never had issues with breakage, grinding, whining, or excessive wear.

Thirdly, get the Master install kit. It will have new gaskets, shims, bearings, hardware, Lock-tite anti-sieze, and marking compound to check your work. You only need to pay between $70-110 for one of these. It's worth it. You will also not use all of your shims, and youll have some left over, but thats fine. No one uses all of these, since gear/axle combos can widely vary.

Lastly, tools. Get them. You'll need prybars, screwdrivers, socket set, mallets, different pipe ID's for extracting and installing bearings, heat source (propane heat / oven), cold source (freezer, shrink parts for interference fits), bearing separator, small Dremel cutoff wheel to potentially cut away old bearings, and really important dial indicator with a magnetic base.


Good luck.

Thanks, all tools are not a problem here, after a lifetime in HVAC, building in restoring boats and other types of woodworking I'm restoring two cars over the years, yeah there's a few tools laying around here LOL.

Sent from my LG-M430 using Tapatalk

 

[AgPete139]

Thanks, all tools are not a problem here, after a lifetime in HVAC, building in restoring boats and other types of woodworking I'm restoring two cars over the years, yeah there's a few tools laying around here LOL.

Sent from my LG-M430 using Tapatalk

Best of luck. Post a picture when you're done!

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[Denisefwd93]

Best of luck. Post a picture when you're done!

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With luck it won't be done at all and it's just a drive shaft or something more simple with. I posted pics of the front end work but probably not enough. Pressing ball joints is hard work even with the right tools!

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